REACHED NEW YORK

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 39, 17 February 1943, Page 5

REACHED NEW YORK

FRENCH RATT) ESHIP RICHELIEU OTHER UNITS TO FIGHT FOR ALLIES (Recd. 6.45 p.m.) Rugby, Feb. 15. The French battleship Richelieu, the cruiser Montcalm and destroyers Fantasque and Terrible have arrived in New York after a hazardous three weeks’ Atlantic crossing. The squadron was escorted by American and French destroyers and (lodged a pack of enemy submarines while riding the toughest gale the crews had ever experienced. Only three of the Richelieu's engines were working, and at the stern a temporary hull of great timbers had been built over the 40ft. rent in the side made by British depth charges and torpedoes at Dakar In July, 1940. Vice-Admiral Fenard, head of the French naval mission representing General Giraud. said the Richelieu and the accompanying vessels would be repaired at east coast ports, and when able to go to sea again the smaller vessels would be used against submarines. The total French units under General Giraud were three battleships, one aircraft carrier, three heavy and six light cruisers, nine destroyers, 10 to 12 sloops, 14 submarines and a number of auxiliaries. Vice-Admiral Fenard added that the French crews were happy to be fighting on the side of the United Nations. The ships might be used to keep open the African sea lanes, but would operate in any waters decided upon by the Allies.

Regarding the scuttling of the French Fleet, he said that operation had been prepared since the armistice, and there was never any idea of a delivery of the ships to Germany. The French warships immobilised at Martinique and Alexandria, since the armistice would eventually all be used in the service of the United Nations. All units at Dakar were now in action, or would be repaired and in active service shortly, and this meant that all the units of the French Fleet not scuttled at Toulon were now in Allied hands. Tne aircraft-carrier Bearn will shortly be brought to the United States from Martinique for repairs, also other vessels needing repairs and now Immobilised in Alexandria.

He added that when he visited Alexandria a couple of months ago he Tound the morale of the French officers and men extremely high.—B.O.W.

Vice-Admiral Fenard revealed that 46 French warships, including the four now in the United States, have already joined the United Nations. Many are actively engaged against submarine activity. *